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2025-08-31-accounts

Charity number: 1093455 Company number: 4463793

THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

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THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

CONTENTS

Trustees’ annual report

Independent examiner’s report

Statement of financial activities

Balance sheet

Notes to the accounts

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THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

___________

The trustees of The London Philharmonic Choir (“the Choir”) are the directors for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006 and are pleased to present the report and unaudited accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025.

The unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts, and comply with the Choir’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland effective 1 January 2019 (‘the Charities SORP (FRS 102)’).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The Choir's principal aim and objective is to promote, improve, develop and maintain education in the appreciation and knowledge of the art and science of music by the presentation of public concerts. In order to achieve this, the Choir gives public choral performances, principally but not exclusively, in association with professional orchestras; it also promotes, organises and/or performs in other cultural and educational activities relevant to the study and appreciation of music, and undertakes such other things in furtherance of its objectives, or which are conducive or incidental thereto.

Membership of the Choir is subject to audition initially and on an ongoing basis, to maintain the Choir's high standards. Auditions are open to all and members are not required to pay an annual subscription. The members receive no remuneration and give their time for free.

The Choir affords members the opportunity to rehearse and perform together to a very high standard and regularly performs with world class conductors and orchestras at public venues in the UK and abroad. The Choir has a longstanding relationship with the London Philharmonic Orchestra (“LPO”) and regularly performs alongside them at the Royal Festival Hall in London (“RFH”) and other venues. The Choir has a current membership of around 300 singers but the numbers performing on any given occasion vary according to the venue and repertoire concerned.

In addition to large scale concerts, performances are sometimes given in smaller-scale venues which both extends the audience base and gives members a chance to explore and develop in different repertoire. The Choir also engages in relevant charity and educational activities in furtherance of its objectives.

The Choir’s purposes are for the public benefit and the trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

In February 2024 the Choir announced the retirement of its esteemed Artistic Director, Neville Creed, at the end of the 2024-25 season after a distinguished tenure of 30 years. Neville’s unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions have played a pivotal role in the Choir’s remarkable journey and outstanding musical achievements, and the Choir was delighted to celebrate with him at the end of the season as he took on the new position of Chorus Director Emeritus.

Working with the artistic leadership of the LPO, the trustees established a succession plan to ensure continued musical success as the Choir approaches its 80[th] anniversary in 2027. During 2024 Victoria Longdon was appointed as Associate Chorus Director to work alongside Neville Creed in his final season, and to focus on the vocal health of Choir members and bringing through the next generation of choral

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THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

___________

singers. In the Spring of 2025 Madeleine Venner was appointed as Chorus Director to take over from Neville at the end of the 2024-25 season, to ensure a seamless transition and continuation of artistic excellence.

The 2024-25 season involved a diverse programme of new and established works for the Choir, performing alongside the LPO in four major concerts at the RFH. The season commenced with a performance of Rachmaninoff’s The Bells conducted by Edward Gardner, followed by a performance of Schoenberg’s A Survivor from Warsaw and Shostakovich’s Symphony No 13 conducted by Andrey Boreyko. In the new year the Choir performed Haydn’s Mass in Time of War together with John Adams’ On the Transmigration of Souls in a concert conducted by Vladimir Jurowski. At the end of April 2025 the Choir joined the LPO in a semi-staged performance of Mahler’s epic Symphony No 8 conducted by Edward Gardner as part of the Southbank Centre’s debut Multitudes multi-arts festival.

In addition to these concerts with the LPO the Choir also performed Vivaldi’s Gloria and Handel’s Messiah, both conducted by Neville Creed at the RFH. Other performances for the 2024-25 season included Beethoven’s Symphony No 9 at the Royal Albert Hall and a programme of film and TV soundtrack music at the London Soundtrack Festival’s gala concert at the RFH. In December 2024 The Choir performed in concerts of Christmas music at the RFH, enjoyed by singers and audience alike.

The 2024-25 season concluded with a performance of Delius’ A Mass of Life at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the 2025 season of the BBC Proms, appearing alongside the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of our president Sir Mark Elder.

During the 2024-25 season the Choir has maintained a strong membership base, and continues to focus on engagement with existing members and recruiting new members to ensure the future of the Choir. The Choir seeks to engage on a regular basis with the London Youth Choirs (“LYC”) who have performed alongside the Choir on several occasions, giving those young people the opportunity to observe the Choir in rehearsal and performance and perform with top class orchestras and conductors. The Choir was joined again by some 300 LYC students in concerts of Christmas music at the RFH.

Individuals seeking to join the Choir are welcomed at a trial rehearsal and then encouraged to audition. Applicants for auditions come from a very wide range of backgrounds, and include singers who want to develop their interest in choral music, as well as some more experienced singers seeking to widen their repertoire and experience under the expert guidance of the Choir’s Artistic and choral Directors. The Choir affords members the opportunity to enjoy performing well known pieces and the challenge of exploring new or less well known works, in person with world class orchestras under the diverse direction of world class conductors.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

During the year income from donations, charitable activities and investments amounted to £95,099, increased from £86,928 for the year ended 31 August 2024. This increase was due principally to an increase in fees for performances given.

Expenditure on charitable activities and governance costs for the year amounted to £92,912, an increase from £66,951 for the year ended 31 August 2024, principally as the result of an increase in direct performance costs, and increased expenditure on support costs.

The net income for the year and net movement in funds amounted to £2,187 (2024: £19,977). The balance of funds, which were all unrestricted funds, stood at £166,984 at the balance sheet date (2024: £164,797).

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THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

___________

The trustees are responsible for the management of risks faced by the Choir. They consider that the major risks are that the level of Choir membership and the high standard of performances given is not maintained, and that fee-paying performance opportunities for the Choir are not available. They have taken steps to mitigate exposure to these risks. They are continuing to focus on recruitment and retention of members and bringing through the next generation of choral singers. They are also continuing to focus on maintaining the current high performance standards through continued expert choral coaching and direction, and are maintaining and developing relationships with orchestras and promoters to provide performance opportunities. The Trustees’ policy is to seek to hold £165,000 in unrestricted funds as free reserves. These are to enable the Choir to fund a number of concerts and ongoing costs during periods when fee-paying concerts may not be provided by orchestras or promoters, and to fund currently unidentified opportunities, which will be assessed for their suitability on a case by case basis.

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

Succeeding Neville Creed as Chorus Director from September 2025, Madeleine Venner brings to the Choir a wealth of experience in choral and orchestral conducting, vocal performance, repetiteuring and musicology. Madeleine has prepared and led the Choir through an exciting and diverse programme of new and established works during the 2025-26 season so far, including five major concerts alongside the LPO at the RFH.

The season commenced with a performance of Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony conducted by Sir Mark Elder, followed by a performance of John Adams’ Harmonium conducted by Edward Gardner. Early in 2026 the Choir performed Szymanowski’s Stabat Mater conducted by Edward Gardner, and Zou Ye’s Symphony Kukai under the baton of Takuo Yuasa. More recently the Choir performed Beethoven’s much loved Symphony No 9 together with Tan Dun’s Choral Concerto: Nine in its UK premiere at the RFH and also at Symphony Hall, Birmingham conducted by Tan Dun, and joined by the London Chinese Philharmonic Choir.

In addition to these concerts with the LPO the Choir also performed Mozart’s Requiem conducted by Neville Creed and Holst’s The Planets at the Barbican Hall, London. In December 2025 the Choir performed in concerts of festive music at the RFH joined again by younger students from the LYC, and also in Handel’s Messiah with the Orion Orchestra, which supports the development of talented young musicians. The Choir also performed in live soundtrack performances to accompany screenings of the popular feature films in the Lord of the Rings trilogy at the Royal Albert Hall, and other exciting engagements are planned for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

The Choir appointed Bo Wang, Artistic Director of the London Chinese Philharmonic Choir, to the new position of Guest Associate Chorus Director for the 2025-26 season, to contribute his expertise in Chinese repertoire in assisting Madeleine Venner in the preparation of the Choir for the Zou Ye Symphony Kukai and Tan Dun Choral Concerto: Nine performances.

The Choir has plans for a busy and exciting 2026-27 season under Madeleine’s excellent leadership, including performances with the LPO at the RFH, and looks forward to celebrating its 80[th] anniversary. The Choir continues to maintain and develop relationships with orchestras and promoters, and to focus on recruitment and retention of members, and maintaining consistently high performance standards.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Choir is a Charitable Company governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 28 April 2014, as amended by special resolutions passed on 19 June 2024, and is limited by guarantee.

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THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

___________

The Choir is managed by a committee of members, who fulfil specific roles as determined from time to time. All of the committee members are trustees and directors of the charitable company. Committee members are elected to the committee by Choir members, and appointed as trustees and directors, at the Annual General Meeting, to hold office for the period of one year. In the event of a trustee resigning mid-year a replacement may be elected by members, or appointed by the trustees, to hold office until the following AGM. The committee resigns office at each AGM, and all committee members are eligible for re-election as trustees in accordance with the company’s constitution.

Upon appointment, new committee members are provided with a copy of the Choir Rules, Memorandum and Articles of Association, most recent statutory accounts and minutes of recent committee meetings, and a formal handover takes place with the former holder of their post. Informal training and induction is provided to new committee members by existing committee members on an ongoing basis, and particularly so during the first six months of their appointment.

The Choir’s Artistic and choral Directors, and piano accompanists receive fees in their professional capacity from the Choir. Choir members who are not trustees provide help and assistance with the day to day running of the Choir. No committee member or Choir member is remunerated by the Choir, but expenditure incurred by committee members and other Choir members in fulfilling their obligations to the Choir may be reimbursed.

The trustees are familiar with the Charity Governance Code 2025 and are seeking to apply the principles and recommendations therein to improve existing governance within the charitable company. During the year the trustees have continued to support diversity, equality and inclusion, and strengthen organisational and financial governance, in addition to relevant amendments made to the company’s Articles of Association during 2024. Since the balance sheet date the address of the company’s registered office was changed to that shown below.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Charity no: 1093455

Company no: 4463793

Registered office and principal address Independent Examiner 4[th] Floor James Cross 89 Albert Embankment For and on behalf of London SE1 7TP Moore Kingston Smith LLP Chartered Accountants Secretary 9 Appold Street London EC2A 2AP

Secretary Joy Lee

The current trustees and directors, and those who served during the year, together with their roles on the committee are noted below. There are no corporate trustees.

Tessa Bartley Chair (re-appointed August 2025) Natasha Yousefzadeh Naghdi Sofla Choir Manager (re-appointed August 2025) Joy Lee Honorary Secretary (re-appointed August 2025) Susan Thomas Honorary Treasurer (re-appointed August 2025) Jennifer Cresswell Marketing Manager (re-appointed August 2025) Danielle Roman Membership Manager (re-appointed August 2025)

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THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (A COMPANY LIMrrED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGusf 2025 srATEMENf OF TRusfEES' RESPOMSIBILMES The tnjsi￿s (who a￿ also dI￿r5 of Phllhamiont ¢JMilr for the purp)ses of compary law) are respcfflslble for weparlng the Trustees, Report and the flnanclal ststements In actonjance wlth aFylkable law and Unltal Kngdom A£counilr4 Stsndards (Un1￿4 ￿ngdoM New Generally Accoundng Prnttte.) Company IDW rtsjulres trustees to rxepare nnandèl statements fcr eatt¢ fl￿￿ncI)I year whkh gfve a tJue and falr vw of the stste of the affairs of the charltsble company and of the Incomlng rvJJJrces and aprAtakn of resources, IrKludlw the I￿0￿￿ and eXp￿￿1tu￿, ol charltsbk company for that ￿rkrtj. In prepadng these flnanclal ststements, the trustees a￿ requlred to: selert suliable xcountlrKJ Oldes aThJ then apthi them c(mslstenUy,' observe the fi￿tr￿s prlr£lples In the appllcabk Charlves SORP; make J￿ernents aTrJ estlmatss that a￿ reasonable ar￿ pr￿nt. stste wtth applkable UK £c￿ntI￿) Siarrtlards have been frAknved, subject to any materlal departure5 d15d05ed and ewalned In tt￿ flnanCI￿ ststements; epare the flnJrKk41 ststements on the gdno corKem basls unless It Is Inaprywlate to ryesume that the charftstle company wlll cts)ilnue In buslness. The trustee5 a￿ resp(￿S[tIe ts keOr¥J pyoper accoL￿￿￿ recmds that dlxlose wlth rea9)nalJe 4Ycuracy at any Ime the finarKlal p)gtlon of the charltalje company aTrJ enable them to ￿SU￿ that the flnanclal ststements comF4y wlth the Companks Att 2006. They are a150 ￿5￿OnSIble for safeguardlro the assets of the charltat4e compny and hen￿ for tsklrKJ reasonable steps for the kyeventkn and detethon cl fraud and ¢)ther Irregukirlts. Thls rewt and una￿lIt&￿ accounts have teen prepar# In accordan￿ wlth sp&Jal wovlslons of Pat 15 of tlE Cornpanle5 Act 2006 rdatir¥J to small cornpanles, wlih Flnancbal Rerrf)rtlng Standard appllcabk In the UK ar¥J Re￿￿1C of Irela￿1 effectlve January 2019 (FRS 102) ènd wlth the Ststement of Rerommended PrKtte appllcable to charlties preparlng thelr accLxsnts In accordarKe wth the Flnandal Re[O￿n9 strThYard appllcable In the UK ReputAlc of Ireland effth January 2019 fthe Charlues SORP {FRS 102)?. On L*h&lf of the Bc4rd of Trustees sU￿n Thom•• FCA CTA LorMSJn PhIlharM(￿l¢ CIMYr Company Ilmltal ty guardntee, Company number 4463793

THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (‘THE COMPANY’)

_______________

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 August 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent Examiner's Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

James Cross FCA DChA For and on behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP

Chartered Accountants 9 Appold Street London EC2A 2AP

Date 11 May 2026

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THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Note 2025 2024
£ £
Unrestricted Funds
Income and Endowments from:-
Charitable activities 2 90,889 85,273
Investments 4,210 1,655
Total Income 95,099 86,928
Expenditure on:-
Charitable activities 3 92,912 66,951
Total Expenditure 92,912 66,951
Net income for the year and net movement in funds 2,187 19,977
Total funds brought forward (all unrestricted funds) 164,797 144,820
Total funds carried forward (all unrestricted funds) 166,984 164,797

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THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (A COMPANY LIMrrED BY GUARANTEE) BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025 2025 2024 Cuffent aM4ts k cl MU￿ and rffls for res 1175 5,971 31,236 143,176 Inveknthts Cash at tr￿k and In h￿d 32,642 130,114 171,464 181,343 Uablllll•• cra1￿￿.. rnnts fat4ng due wlthln one (4,480) (16.546) 166,984 161,797 Fund4 unrest￿ lunds 166,984 164,797 Totll ¢barlty fvndl 166,984 164,797 For the year ended 31 August 2025 the Ch8rttat￿e company was wtytlul to &¥emp1k￿ from a￿￿1t ur Secuon 477 of the Companks Act 2￿j6. No notke to the dlrertL¥s rEyulrlThJ an has been der￿SIted under ￿£thin 476 of the compan￿ Act 2IXI6, dlrectus acknowledge thdr resp￿￿t411(1es for: (i) Irlng that t1￿ charltsble cOM￿n¥ keew aCcoUnt￿a rths whth comth wlth Sth 386 of the Companles Att 2006, aTrJ preparlrYJ ftnanclal slaterF￿nts whkh glve a and falr ¥1￿ of the state of affalrs ol the charl￿￿e company as at the end of the fjnandal year, and of Its Income and eXP￿dItu￿ for tt fi￿￿1￿1 ￿ar. In acc￿da￿e wlth the requlrements of Sect￿￿5 394 a￿1 395 and whth otherwlse compty wlth the requ1￿ments of the Companles Act 21)36 relatlryJ to accounts, so far as aprAlcatrAe to dwrttable comyny. Th8 8ctounts ho￿ been prepared In &COrd￿ wllh ihe •peciaS prov)￿Or1d rdallng lo gm811 companlo9 wilhin Part 15 of tha Companies Aci Auth(YlswJ for Issue ty the bo¥d on Kl Ygwj ￿ Its bknlf by SuMn Thoma• FCA cfA 10

THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 Accounting policies

The financial statements are prepared in Sterling which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts are rounded to the nearest pound.

The Choir continues to maintain engagement with its strong membership base and attract new members, and has plans in place to maintain high performance standards. It has plans for future performance opportunities and has significant unrestricted reserves. The trustees are satisfied with the Choir’s ability to continue as a going concern and the accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis.

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THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

2 Income from charitable activities

Performance fees and royalties
Income from sale and hire of music and related products		 2025
2024
£
£
88,544
82,514
2,345
2,759
90,889
85,273

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THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

3 Expenditure on charitable activities

Performance Costs
Direct Costs
Choir Conductors and Accompanists
Hall Hire
Music Costs
Other performance costs
Support Costs
AGM and board meeting costs
Bank charges and interest
Choir welfare
Independent examination
Insurance and subscriptions
Legal Fees
Marketing and promotion
Miscellaneous expenses
Music library costs
Printing, postage and stationery
Transportation and travel
Other Costs
Music and related products sold/hired
Donations
Total Costs		 Direct
Support
Total
Total
Costs
Costs
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
62,457
26,360
88,817
63,122
30,551
26,020
27,100
19,610
2,391
1,607
2,415
3,150
62,457
50,387
Governance
Governance
Total
element
Total
element
2025
2025
2024
2024
205
205
265
265
58
-
35
-
16,614
-
991
-
3,585
3,585
3,300
3,300
632
-
611
-
-
-
2,583
2,583
1,959
-
1,754
-
59
34
46
13
2,841
-
2,717
-
347
-
294
60
-
139
-
26,360
3,824
12,735
6,161
2025
2024
1,895
1,429
2,200
2,400
4,095
3,829
£
92,912
£
66,951

During the year a donation of £2,200 was made to the London Youth Choirs Chamber Choir scholarship fund (2024: £2,000). In the year to 31 August 2024 donations of £250 to Gabrieli Roar and £150 to Halle Connect were also made.

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THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

4 Staff costs; trustees’ remuneration, benefits and expenses; related party transactions

There were no employees during the year. Trustees, who are considered to be key management personnel, and other Choir members involved in the day to day running of the Choir give their time for free. None of the trustees received remuneration during the year. Expenditure incurred by trustees and other Choir members in fulfilling their obligations to the Choir may be reimbursed. During the year two trustees were reimbursed expenses incurred for transportation and travel and communications software subscription totalling £39 (2024: two trustees were reimbursed expenses incurred for transportation and travel and communications software subscription totalling £90).

Trustees engage in Choir activities on the same basis as other members. During the year the charity received no donations from trustees (2024: the charity received no donations from trustees). There were no other related party transactions requiring disclosure during the year.

5 Debtors

Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 2025
2024
£
£
835
256
5,698
5,715
6,533
5,971

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.

6 Investments and Cash at bank and in hand

Investments comprise bank deposits with a maturity of less than one year from the balance sheet date and are valued at the realisable amount at the balance sheet date.

Cash at bank and in hand comprises cash and bank deposits held to meet short term commitments and are valued at the amount of cash held.

7 Creditors

Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income		 2025
2024
£
£
-
4,065
56
7,007
4,424
5,474
4,480
16,546

Creditors are measured at their settlement amount.

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